Max Verstappen is to join an emergency meeting Red Bull has planned for next week after the Chinese Grand Prix. 

Verstappen finished fourth in Shanghai but Red Bull’s RB21 machine is proving to be well off the pace of the leading McLaren MCL39, which has now won both races this year after Oscar Piastri’s victory following Lando Norris in Melbourne. 

Post-race Helmut Marko indicated that crisis talks were planned for the coming week in Milton Keynes as Red Bull looks to get to the bottom of the problems affecting the car.

Reflecting on his race, Verstappen was initially stumped as to where time could be found on the car, as the future of Liam Lawson following another poor weekend will be discussed.

“It’s difficult to say when you don’t really know where or how to find it at the moment,” he told Sky Sports F1.

We have 10 days, hopefully we can learn a little bit more and be a bit more competitive.”

As for the meeting, Marko explained that Verstappen will be joining the meetings planned. 

“Max will visit the factory next week to discuss where the weak spots are,” he told Motorsport NL.

We have to improve the car as quickly as possible, but we know it will take time. We have seen that the picture can differ per circuit and even per compound.

“McLaren is clearly ahead and we have to find something to counter that.”